Naptime Confidential: A asks, ‘Is God really more interesting?’

Monday: We probably should have known after the egg incident that switching A from formula to cow’s milk wouldn’t take, but we were hopeful. Sure enough, a few days after the switch she breaks out in a severe diaper rash (a circular ring on her bottom) so now we’re back on formula at least until the 12-month appointment.

Tuesday: We are starting A with two days a week of day care and this morning we have a trial run. We thought she’d be more comfortable if she saw us hanging around with the teachers and other children. We were instantly forgotten. We started in the playroom where a couple of 1-year-old boys were playing in a ball pit and other children were crawling, climbing, toddling around. She crawled straight to the worker at the ball pit who knew exactly what she wanted and hoisted her into the ball pit. She picked up the balls, grinned at the boys and – I couldn’t believe my eyes – leans over toward the nearest boy making her kissing face! Really? It’s not like she’s stingy with the kisses but, come on, random boys she just met. Oh brother. Are your little ones, err, affectionate? How do you handle it?

Friday: She has re-learned screaming as a communication tool. We have had a couple instances where she has screamed at dinner time, and we’ve responded in hushed tones or by momentarily ignoring her and then either providing her with a drink or water. She’s clearly frustrated at her limited communication skills, but we didn’t have the commitment to teach her sign language. I’ve been trying to consistently use “drink” (titling cupped hand to mouth) and “food” (pointing at mouth) since the screaming began. But — this morning — while we are having our morning bottle, cuddle and chat, she screamed while we were playing peek-a-boo. How did you handle the screaming?

Sunday: We decide to start exposing A to faith and church. Today is our first day. I knew we were sitting in the right pew when I spotted the Goldfish crackers on the floor around us. G and I are nervous as cats because we’re not sure what the tolerance will be for her, err, exuberance and lack of volume control. She was thrilled by all the new people and sights. But she just couldn’t understand why all those people weren’t turning around to chat with her. This leads to frustration so we start in with our distraction items (Sippy cup with juice/water, puffs, books, toys, even a small bottle). Just a couple minutes into the sermon, G takes her into the vestibule where you can listen without disturbing the other folks. When I went to relieve him, A had her face and hands pressed against the window looking into the sanctuary still confused why people weren’t interacting with her. Of course, she had her fill of new friends at the end of the service. How have you handled the in-church experience for the youngest among us?

3 Responses

I will say it’s important to bring your children regularly to church. (If you’re going to go, I mean) Find one you’re comfortable with and that gives you an air of acceptance of young’ns and then go regularly. It’s the only way they will learn and be comfortable with the fact that it’s supposed to be “quiet” time. (within reason, obviously)

Babies are close, but there is nothing louder than a four year old who’s never been to church in their life, hahaha.

I’m with Lauren. Bring plenty of distraction items the first few weeks, and she will gradually get the idea. Talk to her beforehand about not talking when it’s not her turn, and reinforce it quietly during the service. The vestibule was and is a great place to start introductions to being there without being disruptive. Good idea for thinking of it.

You know, starting day care may take care of the communication problem. We put our little guy in day care at about the same age right after he turned 1 and we noticed fairly soon after in the 1-year old room they used a bit of sign language; simple things like “more” and “all done” but it helps. They have so many things they want to say but don’t have the words yet.

As for church, we are fortunate enough to have a nursery so we can drop him off. While this is great, we do want him to see the service so what we tend to do is keep him with us for the start of the service when most of the music is played, which he loves. When the children are sent off to Sunday School, that’s when we take him over to the nursery.